United States midfielder Megan Rapinoe won the women’s Ballon d’Or award on Monday after helping her country to retain the World Cup in France this year.
The 34-year-old was the driving force behind the US team that claimed a record-extending fourth world title in July and netted a penalty in the final against the Netherlands.
Rapinoe was not present at the ceremony to collect football’s most prestigious individual accolade in the Theatre du Chatelet, where the show ‘An American In Paris’ is on.
Megan Rapinoe was crowned the winner of the women’s Ballon d’Or on Monday night
Rapinoe accepted her award via video link at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday
‘I’m so sad I can’t make it tonight. It’s absolutely incredible congrats to the other nominees. I can’t believe I’m the one winning in this field, it’s been an incredible year,’ Rapinoe said in a recorded message.
‘I want to thank my team mates and the U.S. federation.’
Rapinoe finished ahead of England and Lyon star Lucy Bronze, and her American team-mate Alex Morgan.
Bronze starred in England’s run to the semi-finals of the tournament, where they were beaten the States.
She tweeted: ‘Very proud to finish runner up in the 2019 Ballon D’or Congratulations to all the ladies nominated, especially my @OLfeminin & @Lionesses teammates and of course the winner on the night @mPinoe’
The 34-year-old was the driving force behind the US team won this year’s World Cup
England and Lyon star Lucy Bronze came second behind Rapinoe in the awards
Elsewhere on the night, Matthijs de Ligt won the Kopa trophy for the best Under-21 male player in the world following a vote of international journalists.
Alisson, one of four Liverpool players in the top seven for the men’s Ballon d’Or, was awarded the new Yashin trophy for the best male goalkeeper of the year.
There was, however, no trophy for the best female Under-21 player or goalkeeper.
The men’s Ballon d’Or was presented to Lionel Messi, ahead of Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo.
